CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

Secondly, We say it's Instrumental: Now there is a two-fold Instrument,¹ as to our purpose, both which meeting together, the Word produceth it's complete effects, There is Gods Instrument, that which he hath appointed on his part; And then, There is that which is Instrumental on our part, and that is Faith. As in the fore-mentioned place of 2 Timothy 3.16. The Scriptures are able to make thee wise to salvation, through faith: So that as Christ, who is the essential Word of God, dwells in our hearts by faith. Thus the Scriptures the revealed Word of God, become effectual to us by believing, The Word did not profit the Israelites, because not mingled with faith, Heb. 4.6. So that as the Word of God is a necessary instrument on Gods part; Thus faith is a necessary instrument on mans part: Whensoever God causeth his Word to be published, be thou ready to prepare a believing heart. This is that which diffuseth the Word through the whole soul. The Word is Bread, but it's faith that eats it, and digests it. No Sermon can ever do thee the least good, unless Faith write it down in thy heart. Go home believing such places of Scripture, and this will antidote against sin: If humane Faith can turn a man wholly upside down, How much more may divine Faith?

Secondly, We say it's Instrumentall: Now there is a two-fold Instrument,¹ as to our purpose, both which meeting together, the Word produceth it's compleat effects, There is Gods Instrument, that which he hath appointed on his part; And then, There is that which is Instrumentall on our part, and that is Faith. As in the fore-mentioned place of 2 Timothy 3.16. The Scriptures are able to make thee wise to salvation, through faith: So that as Christ, who is the essentiall Word of God, dwels in our hearts by faith. Thus the Scriptures the revealed Word of God, become effectuall to us by believing, The Word did not profit the Israelites, because not mingled with faith, Heb. 4.6. So that as the Word of God is a necessary instrument on Gods part; Thus faith is a necessary instrument on mans part: Whensoever God causeth his Word to be published, be thou ready to prepare a believing heart. This is that which diffuseth the Word through the whole soul. The Word is Bread, but it's faith that eats it, and digests it. No Sermon can ever doe thee the least good, unlesse Faith write it down in thy heart. Goe home believing such places of Scripture, and this will antidote against sinne: If humane Faith can turne a man wholly upside downe, How much more may divine Faith?